Some of you might have heard that our cowboy club was planning to donate a tree to the family of Postman for a living memorial of him by the members & friends of the Long Nine Cowboys. There were a lot of ideas regarding what to do, where to put it and how to go about it.
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Postman aka Greg Cross
1949 – 2011
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After talking to the family and other members of our club this is what we plan to do:

Postman liked plants that produced food that you could eat. At his new home he had a large garden with fruit trees along with chickens, some goats and a cow. His favorite were cherries. So it was suggested that cherry trees would be appropriate for a living memorial to him.

We would like to purchase cherry trees for placement on his property, so his family will remember how much he meant to all of us and some for placement on Lefthanders Gun Club property so we can honor him there also.

Cherry trees bloom with beautiful flowers in the spring, produce a sweet fruit that can be eaten right off the tree, be made into pies or jam, and don’t leave a mess on the ground, as birds love to eat the fruit.

A lot of people who knew Postman asked about contributing money to complete the memorial.  So we are going to graciously accept contributions from folks who want to participate in Postman’s Living Memorial Fund. I am going to put in the first $20.

Contributions will be accepted in any amount from anyone who wishes to contribute. You may give your contributions directly to me [Turquoise Tony], contribute via the Long Nine Cowboys website with credit card, or mail it to the club treasurer [Spud Davenport]:

Scott Sander, Treasurer
227 Foxx Manor Drive
Chatham IL 62629

If you mail your contribution, please specify that goes toward Postman’s Living Memorial. When enough funds are collected, the trees will be ordered. Upon arrival, they will be planted and a dedication ceremony will be held. If enough funds are collected, benches may be provided at the planting sites. Any excess funds will be donated to the SASS scholarship fund in Postman’s name. If there are any questions please call me, Turquoise Tony, at 217-626-1710.

We mourn the loss of Postman, one of everyone’s favorite cowboys.  He passed away in his home as a result of cancer on Oct. 28, 2011.

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>> To view Arrangements for Greg Cross “Postman” please scroll down below.
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Please contact us if you would like an address to send your condolences.

Postman [Greg Cross] was an enthusiastic shooter, long-time member of the Lefthander’s Gun Club and a founder of the Long Nine Cowboys in Springfield and the McLean County Peacemakers in Bloomington.  He was known for his ready smile and generous nature. He will be sadly missed.

Those who knew Postman from his cowboy action shooting days and who wish to honor him at his visitation or memorial service in western attire are encouraged to do so.

See more photos of Postman and his cowboy friends by scrolling down below.

Arrangements – Gregory Leland Cross

ROCHESTER – Gregory Leland Cross, 62, of Rochester, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2011 at his home. He was born on February 11, 1949 in Springfield the son of Charles Robert Cross and Arlyee Mae Catron Fromm. He married Claudia B. Van Dyke on January 4, 1969 in Springfield.

He retired in 2004 after thirty-four years at the United States Postal Service as a lead mechanic. Greg served in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War, was a life member of Rochester V.F.W. Post 11463, Springfield American Legion Post # 32, member of the Single Action Shooting Society, Lefthanders Gun Club (Loami), and Grace Lutheran Church in Springfield.

He was preceded in death by a son, Christopher Michael Cross, a brother, Eric Eugene Cross and father. He is survived by his wife, Claudia; daughter, Anjanette Lord (Randall) of Rochester; grandson, Christopher Stephen Puckett of Rochester; his mother, Arlyce Mae Fromm of Rochester; and a sister, Kelly Beck (Rick) of Springfield.

Visitation will be on Saturday, November 5th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester. The InterVeterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors at 11:00 a.m. with a Memorial Service following at the funeral home with Reverend Thomas B. Christell Jr. officiating. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rochester V.F.W. Post 11463, Rochester Fire & Rescue, or the Charity of Donor’s Choice.

Published in the State Journal-Register on Nov 1, 2011.
View Full Obituary with Guest Book

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Postman & Friends at the Long Nine Banquet 2006

Postman and Friends: Brisco Big'n, Postman, Henry Alexander, Citizen Kane & Turquoise Tony

Don Jorge, Black Jack McGinnis and Postman celebrating after the Charity Shoot in 2006

Postman and Lemon Drop Kid at the unloading table in October 2010. This was the last outdoor cowboy match at which Postman shot with us.

Postman making some noise with his '97 shotgun in 2002.

Postman blazing away with his revolver in 2006.

Postman and friends at the Sweetwater Saloon: JD Oak, Postman, Montana Di, Montana Ranger, Citizen Kane, Thunder Jack Johnson, Henry Alexander, Brisco Big'n and Black Jack McGinnis.

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Cowboy Action Winners were:

Lead Dispencer -  Men’s World Champion & Overall Winner
Holy Terror – Ladies World Champion [ #7 Overall and Clean]

View End of Trail Match Results

End of Trail 2011 Overall Scores
End of Trail 2011 Scores by Category
End of Trail 2011 Wild Bunch Results
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End of Trail is the Nation’s oldest and largest Cowboy Action Shooting competition and Wild West festival draws more than 1000 authentically dressed competitors from around the world to vie for the World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting.

A western United States tradition dedicated to preserving the history of the Old West, End of Trail is a celebration of the Old West Cowboy lifestyle, surrounded by a week-long festival open to the public and featuring traditional entertainment and activities for the entire family.

Meanwhile, back at the home range, the weather actually stayed dry.  Several Wild Bunch shooters held the first-ever Wild Bunch Only Match at the Lefthanders Gun Club on Sunday.

>> See Results from the Charity Shoot & the Long Nine Wild Bunch Match

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Print out Entry Form for 2011 Illinois State Shoot
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Enjoy four great days of shooting, hosted by the Kaskaskia Cowboys and the World Shooting Complex, or just come for the Main Match on Saturday and Sunday.

The main match is limited to 300 entries.

Accommodations

• Hotel & motels fill up, so make your Sparta hotel reservations early.
• Camping is available at the shooting complex.

Schedule includes:

* Illinois Wild Bunch Championship on Thursday, May 19th
* Cowboy Sporting Clay Championship on Thursday, May 19th & Friday, May 20th
* Side Matches on Friday, May 2oth
* 3-Stage Practice Matches on Friday, May 20th

Main Match
6 Stages on Saturday, May 21st
4 Stages on Sunday, May 22nd
Awards for Main Match on Sunday afternoon

Saturday Evening is the Banquet with awards for Wild Bunch, Sporting Clays and Side Matches, and Costume Contest.
Banquet is included with match fees.

All SASS rules and class dress rules apply.

Donald Goodall

The Long Nine Cowboys send our condolences to Richard and the Goodall family.  Mr. Goodall leaves three children and three siblings.

For more information please read the complete obituary.

A private family graveside service is planned.

With the growing popularity of the SASS Wild Bunch shooting categories and the challenges of including Wild Bunch in regular monthly matches, these three special matches provide an excellent opportunity for shooters who want to enjoy their 1911 pistols in conjunction with CAS [cowboy action shooting] and still shoot “regular cowboy” at the conventional monthly CAS matches.

The three matches will take place at the Lefthanders Gun Club in Loami, Illinois [our regular outdoor range for the Long Nine CAS matches] on:
Sunday – May 29, 2011
Sunday – July 31, 2011
Sunday – October 30, 2011

For more information about these special matches, contact the organizers & match directors, Turquoise Tony and Don Jorge from the Contact Us page.

For more information about the Wild Bunch SASS category, view this printable PDF document:  SASS Wild Bunch Handbook

Clayville is the site of the historic Broadwell Tavern & Inn [left] which was a stagecoach stop in the 1800’s.  The Pleasant Plains Historical Society is restoring the site and celebrating with a Fall Festival.

Clayville Fall Festival
Old West Reenactment Gunfight Show
Saturday, Oct 2, 2010
Sunday, Oct 3, 2010

There will be two cowboys  shows each day.  Cowboys and cowgirls in western outfits are needed.  This should be fun for all and a chance to introduce festival-goers to our game of Cowboy Action Shooting.

For more information, see the Clayville Historic Site web site or contact Turquoise Tony.  More information will be available at the Long Nine Monthly Match on Sept. 26, 2010.

The match attracted 315 shooters.  Overall winner was Little Wing shooting in Cowboy class.  Top lady shooter was Sage Chick, shooting in Young Gun category.

For 2010 Overall Scores for Guns of August, see our Scores & Stages page on this web site.

End of Trail is the World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting and is open to any SASS [Single Action Shooting Society] member.   The 2010 End of Trail took place from June 21 – Jun 27 at Founders Ranch, outside Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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View End of Trail Match Results
End of Trail 2010 Overall Scores
End of Trail 2010 Scores by Category

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End of Trail is the Nation’s oldest and largest Cowboy Action Shooting competition and Wild West festival draws more than 1000 authentically dressed competitors from around the world to vie for the World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting.

A western United States tradition dedicated to preserving the history of the Old West, End of Trail is a celebration of the Old West Cowboy lifestyle, surrounded by a four-day festival open to the public and featuring traditional entertainment and activities for the entire family.